Bowling Is Back On TV With 3 Year 7mate Agreement

The sport of tenpin bowling will be back on free to air television from December 3 this year following a three-year broadcasting agreement signed between the Independent Bowling Centres of Australia (IBCA) and national broadcaster, 7mate.

The landmark agreement will see the sport broadcast nationally in seven exclusive one-hour shows across each of the three year of the agreement, through a newly developed tournament, The Australian Bowling Cup, billed as, Rollin’ Thunder.

The broadcast set to begin on December 3rd at 10.30am for seven consecutive weeks will mark an end to almost two decades since tournament bowling appeared on free to air television screens in Australia.

The newly created tournament will showcase 16 of Australia’s best bowlers including World number one, Jason Belmonte in a baker style doubles format which will see both female and male bowlers feature in 8 teams, competing in 13 matches, culminating in a grand final to determine the overall winners.

With the tournament set to be filmed at Tenpin City in Sydney in front of a live audience, the new look TV show is set to showcase the sport to thousands of households across regional and metropolitan Australia.

TBA CEO Cara Honeychurch who competed in the last tournament to be broadcast on free to air in the 1990’s – the Coca-Cola Classic, said everyone in the sport and industry will benefit from this agreement.

“It’s been great for TBA to assist with bringing 7mate, 180Digital (broadcast production company) and IBCA together to get the sport back on free to air television in Australia.”

“This is truly one of the best opportunities we’ve had in recent times to promote our sport to a wider audience and a great opportunity for TBA to promote our new junior participation program Bowl Patrol to attract the next generation to bowling” Honeychurch said.

“With the TV show also celebrating Australia’s high performance athletes it’s something that everyone in the sport and industry can benefit from.”

“I would like to thank IBCA and its members for the substantial commitment to the sport they are making. This achievement is something the entire bowling community should be proud of.”

For anyone wishing to find out more about the TV show or keep up to date on all the latest news, team announcements, purchase tickets and plenty more ‘like’ the Rollin’ Thunder Facebook page here.